From The President

Dear CBS Family,

I know it may come as a surprise that I am writing you again in the President's column.   Well, it is an unexpected but pleasant surprise for me as well.  You may have recalled that my three-year term was scheduled to come to an end this past June.  However, for many reasons, Joyce was unable to assume the Presidency at this time, and our Vice-President-elect Dan was not prepared to assume the Presidency.  At the last board meeting in June both submitted their resignation from their elected executive posts.  Your Board of Directors unanimously asked me to continue on as President until Joyce is available to assume the responsibilities or until our next General Meeting.  Because of my unashamed love for my second family, and our second home, I agreed to resume the duties that I have been honored to have fulfilled for the past three years.

Prior to my becoming President I attended a lay leadership program entitled SULAM.  SULAM introduced me to the writings of Dr. Ron Wolfson.  Dr. Wolfson is best known for his work on a program entitled Synagogue 2000.  His work is an examination of where synagogues in the 21st century need to grow and transform in order to succeed.  Central to his findings is a book he wrote entitled The Spirituality of Welcoming.  Much of what we have implemented over the past three years has been an effort to bring about the core principles of his findings.  As I begin my final term as your President I want to reiterate to you the value points we have attempted to bring to reality within our CBS family and CBS home.

Dr. Wolfson found in his study that Judaism in the 21st century must transform itself to be based on forging individual relationships and collective relationships based on the understanding that all people are created in the divine image of G-d.  Since we all have a spark of G-d within us, we must treat each other in a sacred fashion.  To be disrespectful in our speech or actions is to disrespect G-d.  One of his statements that has impacted me the greatest in my position as President is "The task of a spiritual community is to help each human being made in the image of G-d recapture the knowledge of how to live a life filled with godliness, a life committed to becoming a partner with G-d in doing the ongoing work of creation and repair of the world." 

Further he writes "Creating a culture in which every person who crosses the threshold of the congregation is treated as an image of G-d" is what the enthusiastic leader of a congregation ought to aim to do.  Only through this enthusiastic welcoming can fellow Jews find meaning and purpose.  He argues this point, because if people do not feel welcome, then they will not want to get involved, participate in study, worship, or socializing with the community.  For long-time members of CBS, I hope you have noticed a change in our culture of welcoming.  I, your membership committee, and Board of Directors are committed to continuing this model of welcoming.

Dr. Wolfson cites a quote from Genises that he argues instructs each of us to "create an ambience that overflows with the spirituality of welcoming, with radical hospitality."  From Genesis 18:1-8, a text about Abraham and Sarah:

The Lord appeared to him by the terebinths of Mamre; he was sitting at the entrance Of the tent as the day grew hot. Looking up, he saw three men standing near him. As Soon as he saw them, he ran from the entrance of the tent to greet them and, bowing down The ground, he said, "My lords, if it please you, do not go on past your servant. Let a little Water be brought; bathe your feet and recline under a tree. And let me fetch a morsal Of bread that you refresh yourselves; then go on--seeing that you have come your servants way." They replied, "Do as you have said." Abraham hastened into the tent to Sarah, and said, "Quick, three seahs of choice flour! Knead and bake cakes!" Then Abraham ran to the herd, took a calf, tender and choice, and gave it to a servant boy, who hastened to prepare it. He took curds and milk and the calf and had been prepared and set these before them; and we waited on them under the tree as they are.

Wolfson goes on to point out the teaching of Rashi which reminds us that this vigorous welcoming occurred soon after Abraham had circumcised himself at the age of 99.  Further, the rabbis suggest that Abraham was in the middle of his morning prayers when these visitors walked by.  Abraham teaches that personal injury or discomfort nor daily prayer is sufficient enough excuse to not welcome and greet another person, whether friend or stranger.  Wolfson concludes with a teaching of the Talmud, "Hachnasat orchim, welcoming strangers, is a greater mitzvah than welcoming the Shechinah, G-d’s presence" (Shabbat 127a).  Just think if that is how we are to greet strangers, how are we as Jews to greet our fellow CBS family?

Over the past three years your lay leaders have intentionally acted to welcome visitors, seekers, the curious whether born of a Jewish mother or not.  We have aimed to accept people at whatever level of Jewish observances they are at.  After all, we are the only synagogue in the county who serves the needs of members of every Jewish persuasion.  This balancing act of satisfying individuals and families of various Jewish experiences requires tolerance, acceptance, and welcoming on the part of all of us.  As leaders we have tried to make the services more welcoming by implementing the Purple Prayer book, complete with transliterations, Hebrew, Englis, and modern interpretations.  We have had an increase in social events to reach out to Jews for whom ritual is not yet a priority.  We have expanded our adult ed program with both lay-led classes and rabbi-led classes.  I and others have invited many members to our homes for holidays when we know they have nowhere else to go.  I and others intentionally greet as many visitors and members who walk through our CBS doors as we can.  You see I believe that I must follow the example of Abraham.  Whether or not you have money, or don't; you are some big "mager," or not; whether I personally seek something from you, or not; I will always greet you with a smile, a kiss and a hug. 

Finally I offer one more quote that speaks to the heart of who I am and what we have aimed to offer over the past three years:  "When we lose the art of hospitality, we lose a part of our soul.  For kindness to others is not simply an imperative to improve the lives of those who seek welcome.  The act of hospitality improves the lives of those who offer it."  As your chief elected servant, I will continue to encourage our board and volunteers to adhere to Dr. Wolfson’s teachings and direct our staff to implement them in the performance of their duties.  I hope and trust that this direction continues to be acceptable to you.

Religious School News

This may be my last article to you as the Religious School Director. I have given my official resignation to this position, but I am continuing in this capacity until my shoes can be filled. I have been honored to have served in this position and have reaped many rewards from the experience, and especially from your children.

The Religious Education Committee and I are currently working on next year's calendar, enrollment packet, and recruiting a new director, as well as evaluating all of our parent suveys. We will be able to report more to you after the Board reviews a few proposed changes. The first day of Hebrew School is Thursday, September 4 at 4:00 p.m. and Religious School is Sunday, September 7 at 9:30 a.m.

Thank you to all of our religious school parents, teachers, students, Education Committee members, and supportive members for giving me this grand opportunity to serve as your Religious School Director for the past five years. I will continue to be present and active in our CBS Religious School, as I still have children who will be attending and because I believe in the tremendous value of a Jewish education. Our synagogue's life depends on all of us, of all ages, to thrive and flourish for generations to come.

Remember, half of every subscription to J- will go to Congregation Beth Shalom.  See your Bulletin for details.